Branson hosting one of the top fiddle festivals in the U.S.

The Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-America Fiddler's Championship has changed to an earlier August date to accommodate the extensive fiddling community's participation. The excitement is growing as Aug. 3 is fast approaching.

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The Lake News Online

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Posted Jul. 17, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Updated Jul 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM

Posted Jul. 17, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Updated Jul 17, 2013 at 9:10 AM

Branson

The Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-America Fiddler's Championship has changed to an earlier August date to accommodate the extensive fiddling community's participation.

The excitement is growing as Aug. 3 is fast approaching.

"The Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival and Mid-America Fiddle Championship has become a high point of our year. The contest not only draws talented musicians from across the country to compete for great prizes, but also boasts a panel of highly qualified judges. This contest is one of the best we attend," says Mid-America Fiddler Association member Junior Marriott, a fiddler from Ava, Mo. who grew up in Versailles.

There has been an Adult Division added to the competition and our award-winning judges will be deciding who gets the increased $7,000 in cash prizes. The climbing attendance at this annual event, and the high-dollar winnings, have earned the Mid-America Fiddler's Championship its place as one of the top three recognized Fiddle Festivals in the U.S. World-class judges include Lydia Ryals Stuart, Evan Meeker, and last year's Grand Champion Bubba Hopkins. Five-time Branson Fiddler of the Year Wayne Massengale is our esteemed Emcee for 2013.

In 1988, Master Fiddler Bob Walsh kicked off the very first Fiddle Festival in Branson and we are proud to be continuing this great community tradition on its 25th Silver Anniversary.

There is no registration fee for contestants and anyone who signs up to compete by July 26 will receive a 2013 Fiddle Contest shirt. Tickets to the Festival are $3 daily, $1.50 for children 4-12 and free to kids 3 and younger. Besides the championship fiddling contest, the 25th Annual Fiddle Festival features demonstrations, strolling street entertainers, workshops and downtown sidewalk sales.

Raffle tickets for a $1,000 fiddle, bow and case from K.C. Fiddles and Two Round-Trip Domestic Air Travel Tickets from The Branson Airport are $1 each or six for $5. Drawing for a winner is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. Hopefuls that enter don't have to be present to win. Pre-purchased tickets may be picked up at the festival or mailed. Send ticket orders with payment or credit card to: Downtown Branson Betterment Association (DBBA), P.O. Box 1034, Branson, MO 65615, EMAIL: events@downtownbranson.org or call 417-334-1548.